European Leaders Discuss Divided Military Support for Ukraine

European leaders convened in Paris to discuss the possibility of deploying peacekeeping troops to Ukraine, following a recent U.S. diplomatic push that left them feeling sidelined. UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer expressed readiness to send British forces contingent upon a lasting peace agreement, emphasizing the necessity of U.S. security guarantees. However, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz deemed the idea of ground troops 'premature,' reflecting a lack of consensus among leaders, particularly from nations like Poland and Spain who opposed troop deployment. The discussions also highlighted the need for increased defense spending and a unified European approach to security, with concerns about a ceasefire without a robust peace agreement. Macron's call for the summit followed recent bilateral talks between U.S. President Trump and Russian President Putin, which excluded European allies. The meeting underscored the ongoing struggle for Europe to assert its role in the peace process amid shifting U.S. priorities.